Load, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Loaded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Loading. Loaden is obsolete, and laden belongs
to lade.] 1. To lay a load or burden on
or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to charge with a load, as a gun;
to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight
to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon.
I strive all in vain to load the
cart.
Gascoigne.
I have loaden me with many spoils.
Shak.
Those honors deep and broad, wherewith
Your majesty loads our house.
Shak.
2. To adulterate or drug; as, to load
wine. [Cant]
3. To magnetize.[Obs.]
Prior.
Loaded dice, dice with one side made heavier
than the others, so that the number on the opposite side will come up
oftenest.
Load (?), n. [OE. lode load,
way; properly the same word as lode, but confused with
lade, load, v. See Lade, Lead,
v., Lode.] 1. A burden;
that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which
is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load.
He might such a load
To town with his ass carry.
Gower.
2. The quantity which can be carried or drawn
in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel;
that which will constitute a cargo; lading.
3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves
the mind or spirits; as, a load of care. " A . . .
load of guilt." Ray. " Our life's a load."
Dryden.
4. A particular measure for certain articles,
being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance
commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a
load of hay; specifically, five quarters.
5. The charge of a firearm; as, a load
of powder.
6. Weight or violence of blows. [Obs.]
Milton.
7. (Mach.) The work done by a steam
engine or other prime mover when working.
Load line, or Load water line
(Naut.), the line on the outside of a vessel indicating
the depth to which it sinks in the water when loaded.
Syn. -- Burden; lading; weight; cargo. See
Burden.